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Thank you for being part of our AfChix Community.
We have a running campaign dubbed ‘#CelebratingMyJourney’. This campaign involves AfChix community members share their career growth experiences in a “before and after” reflection-based themed storytelling series to enable us to take stock of the impact of AFCHIX on our community members career paths. Additionally, encourage the younger women who would love to pursue STEM career paths.
Stories build identity and a sense of belonging and yours is worth telling. We encourage you to spare a moment and leave your written or 1-minute video testimonial here!
To make your work easier, we have shared some guideline questions. For the written testimonials, we will require a photo to go with the story.
The content provided will be for our website and social media platforms use only.
Celebrate Your Journey!
Our mission is to create an exemplary organisation and network of African women in tech with a desire to inclusively provide: opportunities, mentorship, and capacity building while inspiring younger generations.
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Meet Ndagire Shakira Seruwagi a Quality Assurance Engineer at Ushahidi Inc in Kampala, Uganda.
After graduating from high school, Ndagire aimed to pursue Economics and Business, as she had a negative impression of Engineering. However, fate had other plans for her. The university she applied to, offered her a place in Software Engineering—her second-choice option that she had included just to balance her application.
“Although I was unfamiliar with the field at the time, this unexpected opportunity launched my journey into technology. Throughout this path, I’ve faced self-doubt and imposter syndrome, but I’ve learned valuable lessons in perseverance, the importance of continuous learning, and the impact of mentorship,” she says.
Her first encounter with AFCHIX was when they organized training sessions for students on writing papers for technology conferences, such as the Grace Hopper Conference. These sessions were led by past participants who had attended various conferences over the years. They offered invaluable tips on crafting conference papers and applying for scholarships. “With their guidance, my application was accepted, and I had the opportunity to attend the Grace Hopper Conference, one of the largest conferences for Women in Technology. This experience expanded my career perspective, allowed me to network with women in technology from around the world, and helped me build lasting relationships.”
Inspired by this experience, she felt compelled to give back to the community. She began mentoring others and sharing opportunities to help them achieve their own goals.
During her final year as an undergraduate, she participated in the AFCHIX training sessions which were instrumental in shaping her career.
“After graduation, I started as a software developer at Andela and then worked as a full-stack software engineer at MassChallenge, where I contributed to building various platforms using a range of technologies. Today, I am a Quality Assurance Engineer at Ushahidi Inc., where I use my expertise to ensure that we deliver a high-quality product experience for our clients.”
Moving forward, Ndagire would like to see AFCHIX organize outreach programs in schools and other institutions to educate more girls and women about technology and its positive impact on their lives.
Meet Evelyne Wahome from Kenya, a product manager with a global tech company.
Evelyne was encouraged by her primary school headteacher to explore computer science and her interest grew from then on.
She acknowledges that the beginning of her career was somewhat lonely, as she found herself the only female employee in her department. Her desire to see more women in her department made her start pushing her then company, to hire more women by opening up internship opportunities to them.
This also motivated her to reach out to networks of women in technology and this is how she got connected to AFCHIX. “My first memorable activity was the ‘AfChix TechWomen Summit’ in 2017. This event allowed me to connect with women in the tech field, get inspired and connect with mentors. Joining the AFCHIX network has been invaluable. It has also kept me connected with information on scholarships and tech related conferences”, she says.
To address the gender gap in her field, she started reaching out to women in the network by sharing job opportunities in the groups and encouraging them to apply. Today, she is happy to see more women go for careers in this field. “I urge the young aspiring ladies from colleges to come in and do their best. Just be excellent in what you do.”
At the time of the 2017 summit, Evelyne was working as a technical support specialist. She eventually moved on to become a project manager and today, she is a senior product manager with a global tech company, a position that allows her to be at the driver’s seat of developing innovative products that can impact daily lives.
Evelyne wishes to see AFCHIX offer more mentorship opportunities for women at the start of their careers, since they can help define the career paths of women early.
Meet Mwende Njiraini, a Telecommunication Engineer by profession and currently the African Initiative Coordinator at DiploFoundation.
Mwende was inspired to join a career in technology from interactions at home and school. She loved the sciences, in particular physics and mathematics and eventually went on to study for a Bachelor in Technology in Electrical and Communication Engineering from Moi University.
“I started off my career by registering with the Graduate Mobilization Programme (GMP) run by Ufungamano House (Christian Student Leadership Centre). Under the programme,
I was a contractor selling coprox, a water repellent on roofs and tanks. I then worked as a sales administrator at Cadbury Kenya Ltd, where I was involved in the use of applications to manage sales. After 2 years, I moved on to the Communications Commission of Kenya, now Communications Authority of Kenya (CA),” she says.
Mwende was the first woman engineer to be employed at Communications Authority of Kenya, where she worked in different capacities and was involved in various projects that elevated the organization in regulation in the region. These projects included drafting of technical specifications, guidelines and regulations. At this point, she got the opportunity to pursue her Masters Degrees in (Tele)Communications from University of Strathclyde and Coventry University.
Besides speaking at various AFCHIX events, Mwende says her most memorable interaction with AFCHIX has been through a mentorship initiative for young girls at Catholic University of Eastern Africa.
Mwende adds that: “Mentorship has played a significant role in my career growth starting with my teachers at high school and professors in university, in particular during my masters programme at University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. I have had the fortune of good bosses who have led me with a lot of patience and wisdom.”
Mwende desires to see AFCHIX expand its mentorship program to girls in universities to prepare them for the working life especially in this era where technology is influencing the future of work.
Meet Malebogo Lekoape, a Project Manager with Botswana Telecommunications Corporation.
From an early age, she was always fascinated by how things worked, especially when it came to computers and technology. The ability to solve problems and create innovative solutions through technology drew her into this field.
Malebogo acknowledges her interaction with AFCHIX, as having played a great role in her career growth. “My most memorable AFCHIX activity was attending a leadership workshop organized for women in technology. The workshop provided a platform to connect with other women who were facing similar challenges in a male-dominated field. Hearing their stories, sharing experiences, and learning from successful female leaders was incredibly empowering, “she notes.
At the time of that AFCHIX leadership workshop, she was working in the communication networks sector, focusing on providing ICT solutions for the entire Botswana government. It was a demanding role that involved coordinating with various government departments to implement and maintain efficient communication systems.
This experience solidified her resolve to pursue leadership roles in technology. As a result, she had the opportunity to serve in the Africa Top Level Domain (AfTLD) board and it inspired her to take on more challenging projects, including managing a transformational project for the government, which had a significant impact on her career trajectory.
Seeing firsthand the impact technology could have on improving efficiency and communication motivated Malebogo to dive deeper into the world of technology, leading her to explore and specialize in communication networks and, eventually, project management.
After a successful stint as a key relationship manager in the telecommunications industry, Malebo has transitioned back into project management, a role that allows her to leverage her technical expertise and leadership skills to drive large-scale projects.
Malebogo wishes to see AFCHIX continue to focus on mentorship programs. “Establishing a structured mentorship program where experienced women in tech can guide and support younger women joining the field would be incredibly beneficial. This kind of initiative would help bridge the gap, while providing the next generation of women in tech with the advice, encouragement, and the support they need to thrive in their careers. One also gets a lot of exposure to opportunities, “she concludes.
Meet Cynthia Chebet Rotich, a cybersecurity advocacy specialist.
Cynthia was undertaking her undergraduate studies in Bachelor of Business Information Technology when she joined the AFCHIX Women in Technology Network in September 2017, during an event that had a career forum element. It turned out to be a pivotal moment in her professional journey.
She says: “It provided me with a platform to connect with like-minded women in the tech space, which was both inspiring and empowering. Through this network, I was motivated to continue exploring my curiosity and interest in technology, ultimately shaping my professional path.”
Today, as a cybersecurity advocacy specialist, she leverages the skills and insights she gained to enhance national cybersecurity resilience. Her work spans various areas, including capacity building within Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) organisations in Kenya through specialised training and sensitization efforts.
Cynthia has also had the privilege of upskilling academia through national challenge-based bootcamps and hackathons, benefiting over 6,000 students, with a number of them successfully transitioned into the workforce. “Collaborating with industry partners, such as ISPs, the banking sector, telcos, and academia, has allowed me to contribute to mentorship programs and industry engagements,” she adds.
She has actively engaged with public, private, and government agencies through conferences and forums, run cybersecurity awareness campaigns, and developed a national cybersecurity measurement tool. Her role at the National KE-CIRT/CC involves incident response, and she has also contributed to national cyber policy and strategy through research and report preparation.
“Networks such as AFCHIX create spaces that promote mentorship, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. This makes a huge difference and is why I encourage more of such initiatives. I would also like to celebrate every woman in the tech space seeking to make a positive impact in the digital space.” She concludes.
Meet Vymala Thuron, a Global Citizen promoting tech as a way to close Gender Digital Divide.
She saw how technology could solve real-world problems, especially in Africa, where access to digital tools can change lives. “The idea of using tech to empower women and bridge the digital divide excited me. Technology isn’t just the future—it’s the present, unlocking opportunities in every sector.”
Vymala, who sits on the advisory panel for AFCHIX, reminisces about one of the most impactful experiences she has had with the organisation. “I have been involved in curating success stories to show how AFCHIX community networks empowered women by improving both digital access and digital literacy. I focused on how these stories could highlight the real-life benefits of tech, from enhancing visibility to using social media and the internet as tools to promote services, boost capacity, and increase revenue for women entrepreneurs.”
She says that mentorship has been key to her growth. “It helped me find direction, build confidence, and connect with opportunities I didn’t even know existed. More importantly, it showed me the power of giving back and helping other women thrive in tech.”
Moving forward, Vymala would love to see AFCHIX do more programs that focus on digital literacy for women and girls. “By equipping them with tech skills, we not only close the gender digital divide but also empower them to succeed in sectors like education, health, and agriculture, where technology is transforming lives.”
Meet Lilian Kamara, a highly motivated full-stack IT professional and a passionate advocate for ICT development, currently serving as an IT Manager at AAR Healthcare Uganda.
As a young girl joining university to pursue a technology course, her initial goal was simply to earn a degree and join the corporate world. However, her perspective shifted dramatically thanks to the influence of a remarkable woman/mentor in the industry, whom she still celebrates to date. “She inspired me not only to achieve a bachelor’s degree but also to leverage that knowledge to build communities and champion ICT for development and impactful change.”
One of her most memorable AFCHIX experiences was leading the organizing team for the ‘Tech Women Summit’ in Kampala in 2019. This was one of the most challenging moments of her early career. At one point, she felt overwhelmed and questioned her ability to lead such a significant event. Fortunately, her mentor stepped in at just the right moment and reminded her, “Focus on what needs to be done.” That simple statement reignited her determination and taught her the true value of focus—a lesson that has guided her through numerous challenges in her career.
Since then, Lilian’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable—far beyond what she initially envisioned. AFCHIX opened doors for her to engage with various ICT technology communities. She says, “this foundation paved the way for numerous opportunities, including being awarded a scholarship to attend the Grace Hopper Celebration for Women in Computing and being awarded a scholarship as a WAAW Scholar at university. Additionally, she has been selected three times as a fellow by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and being appointed as the Secretary General for the Internet Society Uganda Chapter.”
According to Lilian, mentorship has been pivotal in both her academic and professional life. “It provided me with opportunities for scholarships and invaluable insights, guidance, and support. Having mentors who walk alongside you can significantly boost your career journey, instilling confidence and opening doors to unexpected opportunities.”
Speaking on AFCHIX’s impact, Lilian notes, “AFCHIX has played a nurturing role in our development, and I believe there is still more it can achieve. Our goal as it has always been should be to increase the pipeline of girls pursuing STEM careers.”
In order to enhance impact, Lilian urges AFCHIX to focus on grassroots initiatives within various communities and foster collaboration with educational institutions to engage and inspire younger audiences from an early age.
Meet Angel Nagaba, a Ugandan Software Engineer currently working as a Data Analyst for a social security Organization in Uganda.
Angel was captivated by the endless possibilities in tech. The realization of how much she could do with technology, applying her mind creatively and bringing ideas to life while making impact in society got her hooked.
In 2019, when she was an undergraduate student in her second year, Angel attended ‘AfChix TechWomen Summit’ in Uganda. She says that this event opened her eyes to the numerous opportunities available in the tech world and taught her how to leverage them to excel.
She says, “I was deeply inspired by the incredible women who spoke and participated at the event. As a young woman beginning her journey in the industry, I learned that anything is possible and achievable if I consistently show up, put in the effort, and do my best. This event ignited my passion for technology and strengthened my resolve to succeed in this dynamic field.”
Angel notes that mentorship has been instrumental in providing her with direction, especially as the tech field can feel overwhelming for someone just starting out. It has given her access to experienced individuals who she admires and aspires to learn from, helping her find her footing and build confidence in her abilities.
“The guidance and support from mentors have been invaluable in navigating challenges and staying on track toward achieving my aspirations in the tech world,” she says.
Angel urges AFCHIX to host regular community meetups and trainings in different locations and countries, as this would help the organization to continuously register impact by mentoring girls in tech and offering trainings in industry-specific skills.
Meet Nodumo Dhlamini from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, who currently works as the Director of ICT Services, Communications and Knowledge Management, for the Association of African Universities in Accra Ghana.
“Way back when I joined the career in information technology it was a very new and unchartered territory. I was also the only girl in my undergraduate class at that time so the fact that the girls seemed not to be choosing the computer science option made me curious, “she notes.
She proceeded to do a double major bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science – not knowing that Computer Science would dominate her future career. She was also inspired by a European professor at the University of Eswatini who introduced them to online pen pals to demonstrate TCP/IP networking and communication
Later on, Nodumo began her career as a trainee Software Developer at a bank in Zimbabwe and has risen to manage ICT and Communications related teams engaged in diverse continental projects.
She acknowledges that she has personally benefited from the inspiration she got from the various women over the years. She says, “I believe that even though I have largely played the role of a mentor – I have also gained from being inspired by younger women. I have had a number of male mentors who were also my bosses throughout my career, and they provided significant support and career direction.”
Nodumo has been deeply involved in mentoring young women under the banner of AfChix while at Africa University (Zimbabwe), while working in Uganda and currently while working in Ghana. “I am proud that I have touched many lives through encouraging my mentees, pointing them to opportunities, reviewing their CVs, holding one on one mentoring sessions over tea/coffee, engaging in training events and generally sharing useful career information.”
Going forward, she notes that she would like to see AfChix reviving its community engagements and strengthening the country chapters. “I believe that the strength of AfChix is facilitating the inspiration of one woman who then goes on to also inspire others. The chain of “spreading the gospel” of that “women / girls can” is quite powerful.”
Access to information technology is a human right – we must continue supporting women to develop requisite skills that enable them to fully benefit and participate in the ongoing technology revolution. She adds.
Meet Alimatu-Saadia Yussiff a senior lecturer at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) Ghana, Department of Computer Science and Information Technology.
Alimatu’s passion for the computing field began in the late 90s when she was in college pursuing a computing course. The fact that she could easily see output as a result of the input devices was so exciting for her, that after graduation, she decided in 2003, to further her education by doing her masters in Information Technology (IT) outside the country because the department wasn’t fully establish in Ghana. She also graduated with a PhD in Information Technology (IT) in 2016.
“I got into the IT field because of my passion to create, solve real life problems and based on rewarding career opportunities. Currently, I lecture, research and mentor others in STEM. “
In the event of collaborative work with others in the field, Alimatu has cofounded ladies in Tech UCC chapter with the aim of training and supporting young ladies’ innovators to develop and implement solutions that address social, environmental and economic challenges in their communities.
She is also a member of the AFCHIX, Ghana chapter, Science Association of Ghana, Women in STEM, African Network Operators Group (AFNOG), Women in Information Technology (WoTI) and an affiliate of the Center for Gender Research, Advocacy and Documentation (CEGRAD). These organizations aid in organizing workshops, conferences and seminars for organizational, personal growth and development.
“Being part of AFCHIX has been fulfilling. The skills I have gained will continue to impact other women. I encourage AFCHIX to continue impacting women and to be practically involved in training them in both physical and virtual modes.” She concludes.
Meet Elizabeth Kalitsiro Mwale from Malawi, the founder and CEO of TechPearl, an initiative dedicated to empowering young women and girls in the digital space.
Her passion for technology was sparked by her fascination with how people interact with technological innovations. “Over the years, working in technology-driven companies and observing the digital skills gap in my community inspired me to delve deeper into this field and address the disparities through my work,” she notes.
One of her most memorable AFCHIX experiences was attending the AfNOG CHIX 2011 Women’s Workshop for Internetworking Technology in Blantyre, Malawi. This workshop was pivotal in broadening her perspective on opportunities within the technology industry and played a significant role in fueling her passion for empowering young women, girls and youth.
At the time of the AfNOG CHIX workshop, Elizabeth was working as an IT technician in a technology-driven companies specializing in advanced networking and web-based technology solutions. Currently, as the CEO of TechPearl, she leads a growing organization focused on bridging the digital skills gap by empowering marginalized girls and women and guiding her startup’s transition into a mature organization.
“I would love to see AFCHIX collaborating with organizations like TechPearl to organize more hands-on workshops and mentorship programs specifically targeting young women and girls in underserved communities. These activities would provide practical skills and valuable networking opportunities, which are crucial for career development in technology,” she adds.
Dr Houda Chakiri, is the founder of Enhanced Technologies, an IT company that specializes in providing e-Government solutions and Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the School of Science and Engineering of Al Akhawayn University, Ifrane, Morocco.
From an early age, Houda recognized the transformative power of technology in addressing real-world challenges. This realization inspired her to pursue a career in tech, particularly in the field of digital transformation within public administrations. She wanted to be at the forefront of using technology to improve governmental processes and services, making them more efficient and accessible to all citizens. “My journey into tech was driven by a deep interest in problem-solving and a desire to make a tangible impact on society,” she adds.
This drive saw her dive into the world of e-Government solutions, after completing her education in physics and computer science, by founding Enhanced Technologies in 2005, an IT company that specializes in providing e-Government solutions. The company is today operational in more than 150 municipalities and provinces across Morocco.
Houda notes that her journey in tech has been both rewarding and satisfying. “Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to lead significant digital transformation projects across Morocco, which has been incredibly fulfilling. Alongside my professional work, I’ve also been deeply involved in advocacy through various organizations, promoting diversity in STEM and supporting women in technology,” she adds.
Houda is strongly driven by her desire to contribute to meaningful change. “Seeing the positive effects of the e-Government solutions we’ve implemented and knowing that they are making a difference in the lives of people across Morocco keeps me energized. Additionally, my commitment to advocating for women in STEM and helping to create a more inclusive tech industry fuels my passion and perseverance.”
One of the challenges highlighted by women in tech industry, in their pursuit of successful careers is stereotypes. She however, notes that one requires resilience and a strong sense of purpose. “I focus on my work and let my achievements speak for themselves. By consistently delivering high-quality results and advocating for diversity, I challenge the stereotypes and help pave the way for future generations of women in tech. It’s also important to surround yourself with a supportive community, which is why my involvement in organizations like AfChix and Arab Women in Computing is so crucial to me.”
Moving forward, Houda hopes to see a tech industry that is more inclusive and diverse, where women and underrepresented groups have equal opportunities to thrive. She also envisions a future where technology is increasingly used to address societal challenges, particularly in the areas of governance and public administration. “By leveraging AI, big data, and other emerging technologies, we can create smarter, more responsive governments that better serve their citizens”, she adds.
Her exemplary work has gained her several industry recognitions that underscore her contributions to the tech industry. In 2009, she was named among the top ten finalists of the Sawaed contest in the UAE. In 2007, she was selected among the 100 best social entrepreneurs at GK3 in Malaysia. In 2012, she was part of the TechWomen program in the USA, and in 2015, she received the WSTEM award from the Meera Kaul Foundation.
These recognitions are a testament to the impact of her work in e-Government and my advocacy for women in STEM.
Meet Charity Wamboi Ng’ang’a, a Cybersecurity analyst in Kenya.
Charity’s father encouraged her to pursue a career in Computer Science. In 2021, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.
It was while at the university, where she was introduced to AFCHIX by her lecturer. At this time, AFCHIX was running a project on building a community network (Lanet-Umoja) in Nakuru, Kenya, and she was given an opportunity to participate. She says that this was the genesis of her journey as a woman in tech.
Since then, during the on and off-site visits and meetings, she got a platform to interact with and get mentored by great minds in the network. “The most heartwarming part of the project was the visits to the local schools, where we met young schoolgirls who were really inspired by the project, and looked up to them as their mentors.”
As we speak, this project is up and running benefiting the locals, especially women, with the majority of them being in small organized groups. Some can now sell or market their products online, and the youths are currently doing online jobs. This way, the rate of unemployment is significantly reduced around the community.
After graduation, Charity decided to pursue a career in cyber security, where she started off as an intern. After months of training, she was absorbed as a full-time cyber security (SOC) analyst. She later moved to work with a local bank, as a cyber security analyst.
Charity is currently involved with a project by Phoenix Ke Analytics that mentors young ladies from universities in Kenya in cyber security.
“AFCHIX gave me a chance to pursue a lot of certification courses being offered by bodies like EC-council, women in Cyber Security, Cisco, Palo Alto Networks, among others. I urge AFCHIX to spread its wings to other regions since there are a lot of great minds out here who need mentoring and also to do follow ups with the mentees since mentorship is an all-round task from the beginning to the end,” She concludes.
Meet Terry Kinya from Kenya, a Scrum Master with Old Mutual East Africa
From a young age, she was fascinated by science, and it was during high school that physics especially captured her interest with its practical applications. This led her to pursue a degree in Telecommunications Engineering at university. “I’m inherently practical, and the way technology continually evolves to simplify everyday life resonates deeply with me.” She adds.
I found the entire process of setting up community networks particularly fulfilling, as it allowed me to apply my studies in a real-world context. Launching a successful project that provided internet access to many children was incredibly rewarding. Witnessing young girls inspired by female role models in tech—especially since it was a female-led initiative—was especially impactful. It reinforced the importance of knowledge in shaping young minds and expanding their sense of possibility.
” I joined AFCHIX during the challenging Covid era when job opportunities were limited. Starting as an administrative assistant, my dedication and commitment led to a promotion to Technical Support for the project. By the time I left two years later, I had successfully managed my own project, setting up our LMS and developing a training course based on our experiences. My mentor, AFCHIX founder, Dorcas Muthoni, suggested I expand my skills into management as a Scrum Master. Following her advice, I earned several professional certifications and was subsequently recruited for my current role as a Scrum Master with the Old Mutual East Africa Digital Team”. She speaks.
Moving forward, she hopes to see this model replicated in many other marginalized areas across Africa. “Its impact goes beyond just providing access to communities; it creates a lasting effect, especially on women who have discovered their own potential in technology, and on young minds who need to see the endless possibilities that technology offers”.
Meet Immaculate Kimani, a Software Quality Assurance Engineer from Kenya.
Her career into technology was inspired by her dad from an early age, when he would buy her gadgets that sparked her curiosity on how things worked. Also, watching movies fascinated her as she saw endless possibilities of technology. Reminiscing on her favourite Iron Man character back then, she says, “Tony Stark communicated with Jarvis and said, ‘Don’t try to fit in an environment; make the environment suit you.’ This mindset resonated with me deeply.”
Even though Immaculate chose computer studies as an extra subject option in high school, it turned out to be a perfect fit—she excelled in it! Additionally, her high school teacher played a significant role by taking me on tech trips to universities, where she learned to code HTML for the first time, and to Nakuru National Library where E-Books were being introduced. These experiences gave her a glimpse into the real-world applications of technology. As a result, she chose to pursue computer science in university, and that’s how her journey in tech began.
“My most memorable AFCHIX activity was when I participated in installing local internet in a community and ended up climbing a mast. I was a second-year student at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. This experience stood out because it taught me that in technology, it’s about the value of your output. Climbing that mast gave me a huge confidence boost – if I could do something that most people wouldn’t willingly try, I realized I could tackle many other challenges in tech and even life.”
It was during her internship at NSSF, when she developed a strong interest in the pensions industry, as she was involved in the transition from old manual processes to modern technological solutions. This experience sparked her passion for the industry, leading her to focus her career in this direction.
Currently, Immaculate works at Systech Africa, a company that provides technology solutions for the pensions industry across Africa. She serves as a Quality Assurance Automation Engineer, specializing in Playwright automation with Java, which has enabled her to evolve into an SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test). Additionally, she has expanded her skills to include DevOps practices and is now also working as a Junior DevOps Engineer, focusing on pipelines and deployments
On the next steps for AFCHIX, Immaculate says: “I would love to see AFCHIX amplify its presence across the tech community. By engaging in more outreach and awareness activities, such as social media campaigns, tech events, and community workshops, AFCHIX can create a bigger impact, reaching and inspiring more women. This visibility will ensure that women everywhere recognize the opportunities available in tech and feel empowered to join the field. It is my desire for AFCHIX to be so known, that if someone sneezes ‘AFCHIX,’ we all know exactly what they’re talking about: women thriving in technology!”
Meet Agnes Kyengo, an eLearning Support Officer at the Directorate of Virtual and Blended Learning, Kenya Methodist University, in Nairobi, Kenya.
Her late mum wanted her to take a course in the medical field, specifically nursing because she believed Agnes was a caring and kind-hearted person who would make a good nurse. After completing her KCSE, her guardian encouraged her to do some computer packages, as she figured out which course she wanted to do. This was her first exposure to computers and it awakened her curiosity to dig more and understand how computers work. She enrolled for more courses in ICT Support, Internet Application, Network Administration, Web design, Programming and there after a Diploma in Computer Studies.
“I got an internship at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, and later I was employed as a Junior Computer Technologist in the ICT department. This department was male-dominated. I remember there were around 6 men and one lady. The only lady in the department, who was also the ICT Manager, madam Irene Misoi, was phenomenal. I admired her prowess in leadership and her innovativeness. I learned a lot of computer hardware and software stuff from her, beyond what I had theoretically learnt in class. This strengthened my zeal to remain in ICT,” she says.
Irene, also introduced me to AfChix, when they held their first Linux workshop. As a young girl who was just starting off, this was very instrumental in mentoring me along the tech industry. This is also where I met other tech women who motivated me to the extent I fully identified with the profession,” she adds.
Agnes’s most memorable activity was the AfNog LinuxChix Africa Summit that happened in Nairobi, Kenya in 2007. “This was an eye-opener event for me. The training in Unix Administration impacted my thinking in computers. Writing some commands in Linux (Ubuntu) and running the output was so magical. The women’s expertise in technology impacted the way I understood this industry and I was now sure this was what I wanted to do.”
At this point, she was a Diploma holder in Computer Studies after interacting with other tech women in the event, her self-belief rose. She was so motivated, that she registered for a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Information Technology at St. Pauls’ University where she attended evening classes after work.
She later joined Kenya Methodist University (KeMU) where she worked in various departments, ICT, Computer Science and currently in the Directorate of Virtual and Blended Learning (DVBL) as the eLearning Support officer and Coordinator for the DVBL team Nairobi Campus.
“My advancement in digital education through various Learning management systems has seen me navigate through the complexities of virtual and blended learning, enhancing the quality of teaching and examining our students. I have been privileged to work with phenomenal women in my career. My current boss is also a Tech Woman, a specialist in Software Engineering, Madam Jenu John,” she adds.
Agnes is also teaching at the Computer Science Department. She is about to complete her Master’s degree in Computer Information Systems, specializing in Computer Forensics and has acquired various professional certifications, the recent ones being IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) and Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by IBM.
Moving forward, Agnes would love to see AfChix do more networking events across Africa, trainings on emerging technologies, collaborations with key industry players and summits for women to share their stories and inspire the younger girls and go to the grass roots, to mentor the young girls into STEM courses.
She adds, “Technology is a phenomenon that seems to be uncontrollable. It’s just part of everyday learning.”
Meet Jeddy Munyao, a member of the AFCHIX Kenya chapter.
Jeddy was first introduced to computers in high school and immediately became fascinated by how they worked. This curiosity sparked her decision to pursue a career in technology. She did not want to be a consumer of technology only, but wanted to be part of creating and advancing it.
“I joined AFCHIX in 2005 while pursuing my undergraduate degree. At that time, we held meetings every other month and a workshop once a year. During that time, I met extraordinary women in the ICT sector who helped me understand the different career paths available after graduation and discover opportunities I never knew existed,” she says.
Jeddy remembers the several engagements she has had with AFCHIX. “In one particular meeting, we explored various personality types. Understanding my personality type helped me become more self-aware, allowing me to recognize my natural tendencies and strengths. This awareness also revealed the roles that perfectly fit my personality. In another session, we were introduced to open-source software. The introduction covered various open-source projects and how we could contribute to them.”
Even now, as a technology consultant in private practice, she dedicates her time to contribute to open-source projects like OpenStreetMap and the Mozilla Common Voice Project. “I encourage recent graduates and students to hone their IT skills by applying for opportunities in open-source projects, such as those offered by Outreachy, opportunities I came to know through AFCHIX. I also encourage them to give back to the open-source community, as it strengthens their technical skills and fosters a spirit of shared innovation.”
Jeddy encourages AFCHIX to expand its reach by providing more women with access to mentorship, resources, and opportunities in the ICT sector. “I believe AFCHIX has the potential to inspire countless women to pursue careers in technology, break barriers, and become leaders in their fields.”
This community member’s tech career began back in 2001 after graduating with a degree in Computer Science. Growing up, she had a passion for solving complex problems and initially aspired to be a doctor. However, upon joining university, she stumbled upon a field that everyone seemed to avoid because of its challenges and that’s what drew her to technology. She made the leap, and she has never looked back.
A few years into her career, while working as an IT Engineer at a financial institution in Malawi, she was introduced to AFNOG and AFCHIX and the amazing Muthoni! “The conferences and sessions I attended across our African continent were super empowering, providing me and many other women with invaluable knowledge in internet networks and network management. These experiences built my foundation and technical skills in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Inspired by the lack of women in tech in Malawi, she felt compelled to help others access similar opportunities.”
“One of the highlights of my journey was co-organizing AFCHIX Malawi, with the support of incredible women like Muthoni, Nancy and others, and amazing guys like Michuki, Sunday, Marcus and many others. Together, we empowered many women in Malawi by equipping them with essential technical skills. The experience I gained through these events ultimately broke barriers, shattered the glass ceiling and propelled me to new heights in my career, including leading an entire IT department of a financial institution,” she adds.
Later, she moved to South Africa and transitioned into technology and digital consulting, where she had the privilege of spearheading digital transformation initiatives with various financial institutions. A few years later, she relocated to New York, where she has led multi-million-dollar projects for Fortune 100 and 500 clients in sectors like Finance, Life sciences, and Industrial sectors.
“Recently, I’ve shifted my focus away from consulting and currently serve as Director of Technology at one of the largest healthcare services providers in the U.S. The foundation I built within this community has been instrumental in every step of my journey, and I’m excited for what the future holds.”
She remains grateful to AfChix, for being the cornerstone of her growth and for continuing to inspire countless women to reach new heights.